WATCH: Metallica On Cliff Burton

The biggest tragedy in Metallica’s history happened 31 years ago today (September 27) when bassist Cliff Burton tragically died in a bus accident while the band was on tour in Europe. Burton was only 24.

Burton’s influence on metal as a whole was revisited with the release of Metallica: Back To The Front, a book the chronicles the history of the band’s 1986 album Master Of Puppets, which was Burton’s final album. The video below shows James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo reflecting on Burton, as well as his father, Ray.

Besides cranking up the first three Metallica albums today, we couldn’t think of a more moving way to pay our respects to Burton, who was taken away all too soon.